Karate: Local Karate legend Pearson dies

Longtime Karate Master Sam Pearson, who started the New Bern School of Martial Arts, died on Wednesday at CarolinaEast Medical Center. He trained many martial artists, including ninth-degree black belts Master Scott Warren, left, and Master Ronnie Lovick, right.

Contributed photo

By Sun Journal Staff

Published: Friday, April 11, 2014 at 04:54 PM.

Longtime Karate Master Sam Pearson, who started the New Bern School of Martial Arts, died Wednesday at CarolinaEast Medical Center. He was 78.

Pearson was a legend for many in the karate community.

He moved to New Bern in 1974 and immediately made an impact. That’s when he formed the local Martial Arts School.